David Mamet's quote reflects the timeless human pursuit of success and the ultimate quest for meaning. It suggests that throughout history, individuals have strived for various achievements, only to find that when all material goals are attained, they confront a deeper existential longing. This yearning echoes the ancient Roman experience, where the pinnacle of accomplishment leads not to satisfaction, but to an illusion of divinity.

Mamet implies that the realization of one's ambitions may not bring the fulfillment expected. Instead, it reveals a fundamental human desire to seek something greater, often leading to a spiritual or philosophical reckoning. The notion of godhead represents an ideal that transcends earthly success, highlighting a timeless truth about the nature of ambition and the quest for purpose in life.